DoubleTheDinars
06-27-2007, 12:51 PM
Study shows Iraq-Vietnam parallels (http://www.upi.com/Security_Terrorism/Briefing/2007/06/26/study_shows_iraqvietnam_parallels/6821/)
Study shows Iraq-Vietnam parallels (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTTksGooJGMBIAOQXQtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTBkYTNuNGk 0BHBvcwMxMARzZWMDc3I-/SIG=13ld0rq5m/EXP=1183052678/**http%3a//www.upi.com/Security_Terrorism/Briefing/2007/06/26/study_shows_iraqvietnam_parallels/6821/) http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sch/bn/nw2.gif (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTTksGooJGMBIAOgXQtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTBkYTNuNGk 0BHBvcwMxMARzZWMDc3I-/SIG=13ld0rq5m/EXP=1183052678/**http%3a//www.upi.com/Security_Terrorism/Briefing/2007/06/26/study_shows_iraqvietnam_parallels/6821/)
WASHINGTON, June 26 (UPI) -- Substituting the word "Iraq" for "Vietnam (http://www.upi.com/Security_Terrorism/Briefing/2007/06/26/study_shows_iraqvietnam_parallels/6821/#)" in the text of a declassified 1967 CIA memo shows "eerie parallels" between the two conflicts.
A Sept. 11, 1967, memo -- titled "Implications of an Unfavorable Outcome in Vietnam" -- was requested by CIA Director Richard Helms and "detailed a lengthy list of potential dark outcomes and worrisome prospects" of U.S. failure in Vietnam, says the article.
The authors list several ways in which the 1967 memo foreshadows current fears about U.S. failure in Iraq.
-- A geopolitical rival would exploit perceived American weakness as a result of failure (then: Russia; now: Iran).
-- Other groups in the global insurgency facing U.S. forces, emboldened by success, would rise up elsewhere (then: communists; now: Islamic extremists).
-- Regional allies would lose faith in U.S. ability to support and protect them (then: Southeast Asia; now: the Middle East).
-- The United States (http://www.upi.com/Security_Terrorism/Briefing/2007/06/26/study_shows_iraqvietnam_parallels/6821/#) would be seen as unable to militarily crush a guerrilla force that was sufficiently large, dedicated, competent, and well-supported (then: Viet Cong; now: Iraqi insurgents). "In considering the Iraq war's (http://www.upi.com/Security_Terrorism/Briefing/2007/06/26/study_shows_iraqvietnam_parallels/6821/#) endgame," the authors conclude, "the U.S. government would be wise to review its own notes."
Study shows Iraq-Vietnam parallels (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTTksGooJGMBIAOQXQtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTBkYTNuNGk 0BHBvcwMxMARzZWMDc3I-/SIG=13ld0rq5m/EXP=1183052678/**http%3a//www.upi.com/Security_Terrorism/Briefing/2007/06/26/study_shows_iraqvietnam_parallels/6821/) http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sch/bn/nw2.gif (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTTksGooJGMBIAOgXQtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTBkYTNuNGk 0BHBvcwMxMARzZWMDc3I-/SIG=13ld0rq5m/EXP=1183052678/**http%3a//www.upi.com/Security_Terrorism/Briefing/2007/06/26/study_shows_iraqvietnam_parallels/6821/)
WASHINGTON, June 26 (UPI) -- Substituting the word "Iraq" for "Vietnam (http://www.upi.com/Security_Terrorism/Briefing/2007/06/26/study_shows_iraqvietnam_parallels/6821/#)" in the text of a declassified 1967 CIA memo shows "eerie parallels" between the two conflicts.
A Sept. 11, 1967, memo -- titled "Implications of an Unfavorable Outcome in Vietnam" -- was requested by CIA Director Richard Helms and "detailed a lengthy list of potential dark outcomes and worrisome prospects" of U.S. failure in Vietnam, says the article.
The authors list several ways in which the 1967 memo foreshadows current fears about U.S. failure in Iraq.
-- A geopolitical rival would exploit perceived American weakness as a result of failure (then: Russia; now: Iran).
-- Other groups in the global insurgency facing U.S. forces, emboldened by success, would rise up elsewhere (then: communists; now: Islamic extremists).
-- Regional allies would lose faith in U.S. ability to support and protect them (then: Southeast Asia; now: the Middle East).
-- The United States (http://www.upi.com/Security_Terrorism/Briefing/2007/06/26/study_shows_iraqvietnam_parallels/6821/#) would be seen as unable to militarily crush a guerrilla force that was sufficiently large, dedicated, competent, and well-supported (then: Viet Cong; now: Iraqi insurgents). "In considering the Iraq war's (http://www.upi.com/Security_Terrorism/Briefing/2007/06/26/study_shows_iraqvietnam_parallels/6821/#) endgame," the authors conclude, "the U.S. government would be wise to review its own notes."